Grant program helps local homeowners with renovations

Patti Pickles of Painted Post knows firsthand just how much receiving a grant to help pay for needed housing renovations means.

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By Jeffery Smithjsmith@the-leader.com

The Leader

By Jeffery Smithjsmith@the-leader.com

Posted Sep. 2, 2013 at 8:12 PM

By Jeffery Smithjsmith@the-leader.com

Posted Sep. 2, 2013 at 8:12 PM

Patti Pickles of Painted Post knows firsthand just how much receiving a grant to help pay for needed housing renovations means.

Pickles received an income-eligible homeowners grant in late 2012 to upgrade the front and back entrance ways at her Delaware Avenue home, replace about a dozen aged windows and install a couple new storm doors.

The work cost about $12,000 to completed, and more than half of that money was from a grant Pickles received through Community Progress Inc.

"This program means there is a possibility for people living in a substandard housing to get their homes in a position to where they can be lived in comfortably," Pickles said. "I am just happy and so pleased."

Pickles said she read about the homeowners grant in a local newspaper in late 2012, applied, and she couldn't be happier with the results.

"It's really been a great thing to see this work done to my home," Pickles said.

The grant funds are available to low- to moderate income homeowners who need to make renovations to their homes, said Lisa Novitsky of Community Progress Inc.

Under the program, the grant funds can be used for 60 percent of the home repair cost and the homeowner pays the remaining 40 percent.

"The hope is that through this grant, folks will be able to bring needed improvements to their homes," Novitsky said. "Being able to help people like Patti and others makes this job so rewarding."

Novitsky said Community Progress Inc. received a $600,000 from the state's Affordable Housing program in 2012, to be distributed.

"We still have more than $300,000 left to use to assist eligible homeowners with housing repairs," Novitsky said. "If the funds are not spent by May 2015, CPI would be forced to return the money to the state. The money is going fast and people need to apply now."

Novitsky said the program will cover roofs, windows, heating systems, safe entry ways, handicap accessibility needs, and health and safety issues within the home.

Applicants must own and occupy the home, the home must be deeded in the applicant's name, and the owner must meet income eligibility requirements and property taxes. Insurance needs to be paid up to date.

Novitsky said the program is open to homeowners in Steuben, Schuyler and Chemung counties. The Community Progress Inc. funds are not available in the City of Elmira, which has its own rehab program.

For more information or to apply for funding call Novitsky at 962-3506 or visit CPI's website at www.communityprogressinc.com.